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Hairball Audio - Lola Mic Pre DIY Kit
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Old 24th April 2012   #1
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Hardware Hairball Audio - Lola Mic Pre DIY Kit
Hairball Audio, LLC is proud to introduce the new “Lola” mic pre in 500 series format.

The Lola maintains a completely differential signal path from input to output. The benefit to this topology is lower noise and a high CMRR. It also takes advantage of the excellent balance of the EA-10468 input transformer. In addition, because there are two op-amps in parallel, available output drive current is increased. This lowers output impedance; improving output transformer performance and increasing the maximum undistorted gain. In this regard it’s similar to running a single op-amp design on 24V rails.

The gain stage provides 65 dB of clean gain in 4.5dB steps utilizing a Grayhill rotary switch. The 600ohm; Bourns t-pad on the output allows the user to fine tune the gain setting. There are three illuminated pushbutton switches to select phantom power, phase and line mode. Activating the relay controlled line mode flips the input transformer making it a step down input. This allows the user to use the Lola on line level material. A pad has not been included due to the low ratio and large adjustable gain of the Lola. A 1:1.75 ratio input means the Lola has a lowest gain setting of 15.5dB reducing the need for a pad.

The DI accepts a ¼” unbalanced cable. Inserting a cable activates a relay that controls DI/Mic in circuitry. The DI passes through 2 FET buffers creating a differential signal to feed the 10468 input.

The light pipe LED meter has selectable VU and Peak metering. Though the VU mode is actually average metering (90% of RMS), it’s calibrated to VU metering with little effect on peak mode. 0dB on the meter scale represents +4 (1.23V) in VU mode. A simple resistor change allows the user to have 0dB equal to 0dB (0.775V) if preferred. Peak mode displays the peak value of the waveform in the same scale.

The front panel and L bracket are made in the USA . As a nod to the original 10468 input transformer, the durable front panel is finished with a “hammered” powder coat. The knobs are machined aluminum and have plenty of grip for the Grayhill rotary.

On Sale Now:
Hairball Audio

Assembly and User Manual:
http://www.hairballaudio.com/LolaPP/LolaManual.pdfhttp://www.hairballaudio.com/LolaPP/LolaManual.pdf
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Old 24th April 2012   #2
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Sweet! Looks great.
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Old 24th April 2012   #3
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Congrats! Looks nice...
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Old 24th April 2012   #4
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Old 25th April 2012   #5
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late to the game here, but i love the look of that face plate!
very nice look guys very nice!
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Old 25th April 2012   #6
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Originally Posted by pan60 View Post
late to the game here, but i love the look of that face plate!
very nice look guys very nice!
Thanks Pan!

It's a nod to the old Marinair 10468 transformers that had the hammered paint finish.
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Old 25th April 2012   #7
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I've also just added the fully assembled Lola option to the shop. I forgot to add this earlier.

Lola Sale Page

Thank,

Mike
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Old 26th April 2012   #8
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love the line input!!
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Old 26th April 2012   #9
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How would you describe the sound?
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Old 26th April 2012   #10
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One of the most instantly noticeable characteristics is its full low end content. This is due, in part, to the 1073 style in and out transformers. It'll give you a large sound without any hype or build up. The top end content is smooth and flat.

Another really nice feature is the ability to push the gain stage with the gain setting and pull back the output with the Tpad trim. When pushed in this manner the Lola distorts VERY nicely.

With the two paralleled John Hardy 990C's, you get a very low noise pre amp with a very high common mode rejection. With the added available drive current, the EA-1166 output can operate with much lower THD and better performance.

The DI also feeds into the EA-10468 input so you get that full sound on DI instruments.

If you're interested you can find a few sound clips here:
Lola Sound Clips

There is a 312/Lola - right/left type thing in the clips. It works well as a comparison because a) many people are familiar with the 312 and b) the lola is very different than the 312 so it gives a good point of reference.

Thanks,

Mike
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Old 26th April 2012   #11
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Thanks for the quick response, will check the clips!
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Old 27th April 2012   #12
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Looks great Mike. I always have loved the Hardy like pre's
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Old 27th April 2012   #13
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Looks great Mike. I always have loved the Hardy like pre's
Thanks!

The Hardy's sound great and are VERY well designed. Paired with the 1073 style input/output transformers and the differential topology, it makes for a pretty unique pre.

Mike
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Old 28th April 2012   #14
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Hey Mike - do you have - or do you plan to have - a nice detailed build document like the one Jeff at capi has for his vp26? That's great for those of us who are not too DYI inclined, but do know which side of the iron to grab.... Definitely sounds intriguing.

OOPS! Just saw the link. Doh! Consider this a free bump.

\
PS - Ha! Read thru the guide. Great stuff. Humorous, and detailed. Just what I need to get thru one of these builds. Will get one (or two) of these soon. thanks Mike.
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Old 28th April 2012   #15
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Originally Posted by drBill View Post
Hey Mike - do you have - or do you plan to have - a nice detailed build document like the one Jeff at capi has for his vp26? That's great for those of us who are not too DYI inclined, but do know which side of the iron to grab.... Definitely sounds intriguing.

OOPS! Just saw the link. Doh! Consider this a free bump.
Ha!

Here is the link to the build guide for those that are interested.

Lola Manual and Assembly Guide
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Old 23rd May 2012   #16
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Just saw the ad for the Lola mic pre in Tape Op and did a search to find out more on Gearslutz , which led me to this thread .

Listened to the clips and it sounds great . Me likey
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Old 23rd May 2012   #17
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Originally Posted by ScumBum View Post
Just saw the ad for the Lola mic pre in Tape Op and did a search to find out more on Gearslutz , which led me to this thread .

Listened to the clips and it sounds great . Me likey
Thanks!

I believe diyrecordingequipment.com will be posting some more clips soon.
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Old 24th May 2012   #18
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Ha!

Here is the link to the build guide for those that are interested.

Lola Manual and Assembly Guide
wow, good job on the manual!

those soldering videos are pretty great too, the guy is highly enthusiastic about what he does! hairballaudio.com/solder
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Old 25th May 2012   #19
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wow, good job on the manual!

those soldering videos are pretty great too, the guy is highly enthusiastic about what he does! hairballaudio.com/solder
Yes the manual should make the build super easy. Everyone has been successful so far.

Dave Jones is a wacky cat for sure.

DIYRecordingEquipment has started a sound samples library and the Lola is in the first batch tested:
DIY Sound Samples - D.I.Y. Recording Equipment

Mike
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Old 1st June 2012   #20
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Hi All,

I'm running a promotion in conjunction with diyrecordingequipment.com. Enter the redeem code "differential" at checkout to receive a 10% discount on any Lola kit until June 15th.

hairballaudio.com/lola

Thanks,

Mike
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Old 1st June 2012   #21
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Originally Posted by Hairball Audio View Post
Hi All,

I'm running a promotion in conjunction with diyrecordingequipment.com. Enter the redeem code "differential" at checkout to receive a 10% discount on any Lola kit until June 15th.

hairballaudio.com/lola

Thanks,

Mike
Shoot , I guess I didn't win the Lola at diyrecordingequipment . Oh Well , that would have been an incredible prize .
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Old 3rd June 2012   #22
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wow, from those samples, the LOLA sound awesome. congratulations.

jeremy
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Old 11th June 2012   #23
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Thanks!

I've been getting lots of great feedback.
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